Illuminating eye-shield.



J. STIEFVATER.

ILLUMINATING EYE SHIELD. APPLICATION FILED JAN.22, 1916.

Patented June 20, 1916.

auvemto'c J0 HHNNH STIEFVHTER I an eye shield 10 of the ordinary JOHANNA STIEFVATER, 01F UTICA, NEW YORK.

ILLUMTNATING EYE-SHIELD.

e rs t Patented @llnne2ll, 199%..

Application filed January 22, 1916. Serial No. 73,649.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHANNA STIEFVATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illuminating Eye- Shields, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accome panying drawings.

My invention relates to eye shields and theobject of my invention is the provision of a combined lamp and eye shield so constructed that while the rays of the lamp will be directed downward the direct rays of the lamp will be shielded from the eyes.

A further object of my invention 1s the provision of an eye shield carrying upon it a hood within which is disposed an electric lamp and also carrying upon it a battery by which the lamp may be energized.

My invention is illustrated 1n the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective vlew showlng the improved eye shield in use; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the eye shield; Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing the manner in which the battery may be inserted into the battery holder; Fig. 4 is a detail view of one side of the eye shield showing the switch; and Fig. 5 is a view showing my eye shield connected to a battery.

My invention contemplates formin upon orm a hood designated generally 11, this hood being, in the preferable form of-my invention, quadrangular in shape and having a rear wall 12 which extends upward from the lower edge of the eye shield. Disposed within the hood 11 and preferably mounted upon this rear wall is an incandescent lamp 13 of any ordinary or suitable type, and mounted upon the eye shield preferably adjacent that portion thereof which engages with the forehead is a battery holder 14 comprising a small case designed to receive a dry battery, 15, this case being closed at.

one end by means of thecover 16 which is preferably hinged to the case and is formed with the contacts 17 adapted to engage with the pole contacts 18 on the battery. Extending from the case and specifically from the contacts 17 are the conducting wires 19 which are preferably insulated and are operatively conne ed to the lamp through the switch 20 which is illustrated as disposed upon the end wall of the hood.

11 but which may be disposed in any other suitable and convenient position.

It is to be particularly noted that the lamp 13 is disposed above the lower edge of the eye shield 10 so that the rear wall of the hood 11 and the eye shield together completely protect the eyes from the direct rays of thelamp. The inner surface of the hood may be and preferably is lined with white material or with reflective material so that the rays of the lamp will be cast downward. The end walls of the hood prevent the rays from being cast laterally so that the eye shield may be used in a dark room and light be merely cast upon the book or other object which the user is considering. It will be seen that the light is thrown downward in the most convenient position and that the device may be made of very light material such as aluminum which will give it the requisite strength without its being unduly heavy. While the shield and hood may preferably be made of aluminum, it is obvious that it may be made of other material possessing the requisite lightness and strength. The battery, located as it is, adjacent the inner edge of the shield, will not tend to force the shield down to any extent, particularly if the band 21 be suficiently strong. The opening of the hood may be provided with a thin sheet of light difiusing material such as tissue paper, celluloid, or other like material which will difluse the light from the lamp 13, and such a sheet is designated 22 as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be understood, however, that I do not wish to limit myself to the use of this sheet or shade, nor do I wish to limit myself to the. use of merely one lamp as a plurality of lamps may be disposed within the hood 11, nor to the use of any particularform of battery container or holder, nor is it necessary that the shade and hood should be constructed in the exact manner illustrated as it may be made up of a number of pieces instead of being made in practically one integral piece. Thus the shield may be made of one material and the hood of another material and the shape of the hood may be varied to suit any desired circumstance of use or operation. Further, I do not wish to be limited to the use of a battery mounted upon the eye shield itself or upon the hood as the lamp carried in the hood might be connectgd to a battery or other source of power not mounted upon the shield. This is illustrated in Fig. 5 wherein the lamp 13 disposed within the hood 10 is connected to a battery 23 by conductors 19.

In the form of my invention shown in both Figs. 2 and 5, I have shown a plurality of openings or sockets through which the lamp may be disposed, formed in the wall of the hood. Thus one of the openings is disposed in the top of the hood and one in the rear wall of the hood, and the lamp 13 may be disposed either in the rear wall or the top wall, as-desired. This is particularly convenient where it may be desirable to connect the lamp with a source of power, as for instance, an electrolier disposed above the user of the eye shade or to a battery as illustrated in Fig. 5. The top opening is designed to be closed by a closure 24 of any suitable construction when the lamp 13 is not in place.

In order to additionally support the eye shade, the hood, the lamp and the battery 14, I may provide a supporting band 25 Whibllls attached to the eye shade in any suitable manner, extends over the head of the user and is attached to the band 21. This member 25 is, preferably of rubber or other elastic material and niay be connected to the eye shade and hood in any suitable manner or at any desired and convenient place. 7

Having described my invention, what I claim is: v

1. In an eye shield having a hood carried upon its forward. edge, said hood opening downward and having a wall confronting the eye shield and a top wall, both of said walls having sockets for the reception of an electric lamp base. I

2. An eye shield having a hood, the rear wall of the hood extending vertically up- Ward from the lower edge of the shield proper, and an electric lamp mounted within said hood, said hood opening directly downward and the lamp being disposed in front of the rear wall.

3. An eye shieldhaving a quadrangular hood, the rear wall of which extends upward from the lower edge of the eye shield, a lamp mounted in said hood and upon the rear wall, a battery mounted upon the shield adjacent the inner edge thereof, and operative connections between the battery and the lamp.

4. An eye shield having a vertical Wall extending upward from its lower forward edge, a lamp supported by said wall and disposed in front thereof, and a .battery holderlmounted upon the shield proper and having operative connections to the lamp.

5. An eye shield having a hood carried at its lower forward edge and extending upward above the lower edge of the eye shield, said hood opening downward, a lamp disposed in said hood, a light diffusing shade disposed in connection with the opening of he hood, and electrical connections from the amp. I

6. An eye shield having a hood carried at its lower forward edge and extending upward above the lower edge of the shield, a head band attached to the eye shield and adapted to extend horizontally around the head, a vertically disposed head band also connected tothe eye shield and extending over the top of the head and at its rear end connected to the rear end of the first mentioned head band, and a lamp disposed iii said hood.

7. As an article of manufacture, an eye shield having a hood attached thereto and disposed at the lower forward edge of the eye shield, said hood extending upward above the lower edge of the shield and having approximately vertically disposed walls, the opening of the hood being downward, certain of the walls of the hood being formed with sockets for engagement with electric lamps.

8. An eye shield having a hood carried at its lower forward edge and extending up ward above the lower edge of the shield, an electric lamp mounted within the hood, and a battery holder mounted upon the shield adjacent the head-engaging margin thereof and a battery in said holder, and electrical connections between the lamp and the battery.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

J OHANNA STIEFVATER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM S. MAGKIE, SAMUEL REICHLER. 

